January 24, 2014 4:02pm ESTJanuary 24, 2014 4:02pm ESTNadal books his place in Sunday's decider with Stanislas Wawrinka and could equal Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slam titles if he is successful.Rafael Nadal(AP Photo)

OmniSport

Published on Jan. 24, 2014

Jan. 24, 2014

Rafael Nadal was delighted to have overcome long-term rival Roger Federer and secure a place in the Australian Open final.

The Spaniard booked his place in Sunday's decider with Stanislas Wawrinka with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-3 triumph over the Swiss in Melbourne, and could equal Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slam titles if he is successful.

Nadal's agility and power was too much for Federer, with the top seed forcing unusual errors from his opponent after lengthy rallies.

After two hours 26 minutes on court, Nadal sealed the win — his 23rd in 33 meetings against Federer — and he felt his performance has been the best of the tournament so far.

"I played well tonight," he said. "I think I played probably my best match of the tournament.

"So I am very, very, very happy for this great news that I played my best match in that semifinal against Roger.

"He arrived to that match winning two great matches against (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga and Andy (Murray) two days ago. I am really very happy the way I played tonight, and it is a very special moment to have the chance to be in another final."

Nada; expects a tough encounter on Sunday and knows the form of Wawrinka makes him a very dangerous opponent.

"He's playing great," he added. "He's a good friend, great guy. So I am happy for him that he's in the final. He deserves it. He's playing better and better every year.

"He's serving unbelievable. He's hitting the ball very strong from the baseline. He is very, very quick.

"I know it will be a very, very tough match. If I am not able to play my best, I think I will not have chances because he's coming into this match with a lot of victories and playing great." Australian Open 2014: Rafael Nadal ecstatic after making final

Rafael Nadal was delighted to have overcome long-term rival Roger Federer and secure a place in the Australian Open final.

The Spaniard booked his place in Sunday's decider with Stanislas Wawrinka with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-3 triumph over the Swiss in Melbourne, and could equal Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slam titles if he is successful.

Nadal's agility and power was too much for Federer, with the top seed forcing unusual errors from his opponent after lengthy rallies.

After two hours 26 minutes on court, Nadal sealed the win — his 23rd in 33 meetings against Federer — and he felt his performance has been the best of the tournament so far.

"I played well tonight," he said. "I think I played probably my best match of the tournament.

"So I am very, very, very happy for this great news that I played my best match in that semifinal against Roger.

"He arrived to that match winning two great matches against (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga and Andy (Murray) two days ago. I am really very happy the way I played tonight, and it is a very special moment to have the chance to be in another final."

Nada; expects a tough encounter on Sunday and knows the form of Wawrinka makes him a very dangerous opponent.

"He's playing great," he added. "He's a good friend, great guy. So I am happy for him that he's in the final. He deserves it. He's playing better and better every year.

"He's serving unbelievable. He's hitting the ball very strong from the baseline. He is very, very quick.

"I know it will be a very, very tough match. If I am not able to play my best, I think I will not have chances because he's coming into this match with a lot of victories and playing great."